2009 Silverado break-in before long trip?

[mspa]

Hey guys, I hope to get some consistent opinions on this topic

I pick up my new truck in a couple of weeks. It has 78 miles on it now, and I'll probably put another 50 - 100 miles on it before taking a road trip to get back here. I'm talking about 1600 - 1800 miles over about 8 days, with some days having a 7 - 11 hour drive.

I don't want to mess the truck up, so is it necessary to get some miles on BEFORE the trip? My dad has the truck now, so he could do it, if I need him to, and the truck is insured . . .

[1_low_rider]

i could be wrong here but i think the GM company does a slight break-in run on most of their engines from the factory??? if im wrong someone will correct me im sure. i do know that foreign cars, mainly the japanese kinds are not and you have to run the piss out of them for a little bit to seat the rings properly. i wouldnt worry to much if i were you though, im pretty sure the engine is already been put through a break-in process of some sort? either way you could give it hell for a little bit just to have some fun and that way you'll be sure!!

[nickgiacalone]

i know that a friend of mine used to work at a factory here in MI where they broke in a tested the Vortec 4330 V6. Im sure that GM does the same with all their engines. The day I picked my truck up I went on a 350 mile trip to upstate NY for the weekend. So far she is running like a dream. Just make sure your oil is nice n clean for your trip. My oil was VERY VERY dark at the first oil change, my last change wasn't so bad

[Steve]

They are pre-broken in, but they still suggest abn actualy driving reak-in period I beleive. My 2002 Trailblazer had is listed in the owners manaul actually for something like 500 miles where you don't drive at the same speed for x miles, etc.

[mspa]

Thanks guys. I looked around online some more and found a post that suggested a break-in of 500 with varying speeds 55 and less. No hard stops for 200 miles, no launching from a stop, basic common sense, take it easy for awhile stuff I guess

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Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In

The vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines:

• Keep your speed at 55 mph or less for the first 500 miles (805 km).

• Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or slow, for the first 500 miles.

• Do not make full-throttle starts.

• Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle.

• Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles or so.
During this time the new brake linings are not yet broken in.
Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time you get new brake linings.

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it also mentioned no heavy towing at first, but I won't be doing that until after the 2,000 mile mark at the earliest.

[Aiblinger]

The manual does have a break-in procedure and they "recommend" that you follow the procedure. I bought my Silverado and tried my best to get through the break-in mileage before I had to haul with it but I didn't have the time (I had to move/PCS). I ended up towing my car on a full trailer from AZ to GA with less than the recommended 500 miles on the odometer. So far the truck has been a GREAT vehicle. I wish I had been able to follow the break-in to the letter but there have been no ill effects. My truck burns no oil at all and my oil is always still clean when it is time for an oil change.

[mspa]

That's good to know. I too, would like to adhere to that as much as possible, but I wonder if the 500 miles is a somewhat arbitrary number based on the assumption most guys aren't going to follow?

I do plan on getting the oil change done when I get the truck back here . . .

[TRPLXL2]

When I bought my 2500HD I had 650 miles on it before we towed a loaded car trailer with it, but I normally do follow the 500 mile rule just as a precaution. The thing that always scared me was if something does happen before 500 miles, but it doesn't trip any lights the computer will store the code anyways. If down the road you had some freak thing happen and they scan it, the computer will tell them the mileage at which the fault occured Just something to keep in mind, but you should be fine.

[mspa]

I will keep that in mind. The onboard computer is pretty snazzy. I was surprised to get an email from OnStar with my vitals. Very cool to see technology incorporated that way.

[Evan]

Yeah, I to would change the oil and filter before I went on a 1800 mile trip just so its clean and put some good stuff in it. No fram oil filters though lol Delco and Purolator is the way to go.